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SEC: Is Willie Cauley-Stein Kentucky’s Most Important Player?

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau

Nov 14, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) drives the ball to the basket against Grand Canyon Antelopes guard Joshua Braun (2) and forward Daniel Alexander (12) in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) drives the ball to the basket against Grand Canyon Antelopes guard Joshua Braun (2) and forward Daniel Alexander (12) in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kentucky Wildcats have nine McDonald’s All Americans on their roster, and their most important player isn’t even one of them. This year the best prospect on the Kentucky Wildcats roster is Karl Anthony Towns, Jr.

However if anyone takes a closer look they will see another skilled and polished big man in the paint playing for the Wildcats in starting forward Willie Cauley-Stein. Though Cauley-Stein is often the forgotten man in the middle for the Wildcats, he has one of the brightest futures on this roster.

Can Cauley-Stein turn himself into a to-10 lottery pick this year? Better yet, is he the most important player on the Wildcats roster?

It was clear against Kansas how big of a role Cauley-Stein was going to play. As one of the most mature players on the roster, Cauley-Stein understands the rigors of what it takes to become successful playing for a powerhouse school like Kentucky.

In addition, because of his experience in college he also knows how to play with foul trouble, how to guard different types of players, and how to make plays to win games such as diving for loose balls, drawing offensive fouls, or calling time out in certain moments. 

Against the Jayhawks, Cauley-Stein showed his experience. There were times when he kept getting called for fouls while blocking shots, but they were notorious phantom foul calls. Nevertheless he stayed focused, didn’t get mad, and still continued to play hard, contest shots and block shots. 

His final stat line against the No. 5 Jayhawks was seven points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.

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As the gold standard of centers in college basketball, the reason people rave so much about Cauley-Stein is because of his defensive instincts. The biggest trait any team can have is a defensive identity. The reason having a defensive identity is important is because it leads to winning games.

Players can play with less talented teammates because if everyone is giving effort defensively it becomes extremely difficult for opponents to win.

That’s what makes Cauley-Stein’s impact on this Kentucky roster so grand. The Wildcats this year have talent at their disposal like it was dropped like bread from heaven. Add in the superior talent this team has and pair it with an athletic 7-foot shot blocker like Cauley-Stein and it goes together better than peanut butter and jelly.

Just ask coach John Calipari the last time he had a major shot blocking center, at least one that was healthy for an entire season in Lexington (referring to Anthony Davis, not Nerlens Noel).

Nov 18, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) protects the ball from Kansas Jayhawks forward Jamari Traylor (31) during the first half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) protects the ball from Kansas Jayhawks forward Jamari Traylor (31) during the first half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports /

As the anchor of the defense, Cauley-Stein has all the physical tools to become the best prospect on his team before the year is over. There is no big man on the Wildcats roster that even comes close defensively to Cauley-Stein, that’s what makes him an invaluable member of this team.

Sure Towns Jr can score, but is he great defensively yet? Dakari Johnson is the immovable object in the paint but is he agile enough to guard quicker and more athletic centers? Marcus Lee … hopefully he gets on the court more to see what he can do.

Which only leaves Trey Lyles, who has the athletic ability, but still needs to add strength and defensive instincts in his game.

Having Cauley-Stein is the perfect blend to the offensive players that surround him on this roster.

Some people already hold Cauley-Stein in high regard. Currently in projections he’s ranked as high as the tenth best prospect overall. Scouts have salivated over this man’s potential because he’s a very athletic center. During Kentucky’s Pro Day Cauley-Stein showed off his newfound strength by bench pressing 185 pounds 19 times.

Now with the added strength that he’s acquired a lot of teams within the Southeastern Conference are going to get punished inside. 

Be on the lookout for this one no matter what platoon shift he’s in.

Man, is Kentucky good, and my Lord does Willie Cauley-Stein make them better.